The Rangers traded former closer Frank Francisco and cash to the Blue Jays for catcher-first baseman Mike Napoli yesterday. It was the second time in five days Napoli was traded, quickly returning to the AL West. Toronto acquired Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera from the Angels on Friday for outfielder Vernon Wells.

Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will miss this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game with a sinus infection. Malkin joins teammate Sidney Crosby on the injury list. Malkin also was scratched for the Penguins game against the Islanders last night.

NFL: Find Brian Reed’s body?

Searchers in New Orleans recovered a body from the Mississippi River near where Brian Reed, the brother of Ravens safety Ed Reed, jumped into the water after being confronted by a deputy sheriff earlier this month. Tim Miller of Texas EquuSearch told WWL-TV that while they can’t confirm anything until an autopsy is complete, they do believe it is Reed’s body.

* Michael Vick has signed his first endorsement contract since his release from prison. The Eagles’ Pro Bowl quarterback inked a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a provider of the football pads Vick wore most of last season.

HOOPS: ‘Melo lifts Nuggets

Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points to lead the Nuggets to a 120-109 victory over the host Wizards. . . . Kendrick Perkins (seven points, six rebounds, 16 minutes) returned for the first time since injuring his knee in the NBA finals to help the Celtics beat the Cavaliers 112-95, sending Cleveland to its 18th consecutive loss. . . . Kobe Bryant scored 21 points in three quarters as the Lakers led all the way in defeating visiting Utah 120-91.

* The Prudential Center in Newark will be the site of the NCAA Tournament East Region finals March 25-27. . . . Michigan State coach Tom Izzo dismissed junior guard Korie Lucious for the rest of the season for conduct detrimental to the program.

ETC.: Iowa gridders hospitalized

Twelve Iowa football players were hospitalized for symptoms likely related to offseason workouts. The school said they are in stable condition.

* Ex-YES Yankees in-game analyst David Cone appears to be returning as an in-game YES/Yankees analyst. According to a source close to Cone, he will work as many as 25 games, this season. Cone, last season, after several in the Yankee booth, chose to sit it out. — Phil Mushnick